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The songs featured during the recap: Overture and Junho Being Brave (Let me be your hug chair) by Roh Young Sim
The legal case about three gambling friends and a disputed lottery ticket—and the moral, ethical, and legal dilemmas it raises.
Attorney Jung’s surprising soft side, as he takes on a questionable case swayed by a couple’s sob story and a broken heel.
Article 103 of Korean civil law that states that contracts that violate social order are null and void.
The twist when the plaintiff, Shin Il-su, asks about keeping lottery winnings in a divorce and how Korean law defines marital vs. non-marital property.
Woo Young Woo's internal conflict about helping a client who may have lied and cheated, echoing the ATM case and her evolving stance on ethics.
The white truck of doom strikes again, killing Shin Il-su and transferring his lottery winnings (and insurance payout) to his unsuspecting wife.
A key moment in Woo Young Woo and Lee Jun-ho’s relationship: a traumatic accident, sensory overload, and Jun-ho calming her with a deep pressure back hug.
A major turning point in their romance: the sweet kiss in front of her house, witnessed (shockingly!) by her dad, Woo Gwang-ho.
Choi Soo-yeon’s brush with a scammer who targets professional women. Thankfully, she’s warned off just in time by another victim.
Kwon Min-woo's shocking betrayal: he tells Tae Su-mi her secret is out and offers to get Woo Young Woo fired in exchange for a job at Taesan.
A cameo appearance by Kang Myung Joo as the judge—she also played Ban Ji Eum’s mom in See You in My 19th Life.
The amazing comedic timing of Joo Hyun-young, who plays Dong Geu-ra-mi, and her background in Saturday Night Live Korea and other variety shows.
References
This was a meh episode.
ReplyDeleteI am really excited that you are inviting Ellen. Unfortunately though the only series I have finished was “When The Phone Rings”. Also, 2 of the success examples (CLOY, and Queen of Tears) didn’t work for me and dropped them (QoT after 5 or 6 episodes). I have also dropped “My Love From The Stars”. I have tried 3 times, but couldn’t past 2nd episode. I simply don’t vibe with this writer at all. I am, however, in minority. Maybe even small minority.
All that said, I will probably still listen.
On the issue of lottery winnings being part of the marital assets. I can see a case for both sides of argument. Lets imagine different scenarios than the one in the episode.
What if a group of wives were trapped in a bad marriage, but can’t leave due to financial reasons. The winnings mean a new life for them. But, splitting the money could make that very hard.
Or, what if one party is highly irresponsible, or an addict. They will just lose the money very quickly.
I have seen the actor playing the husband in SO many minor roles across all the spectrum. From a dotting loving Dad to a terrible scumbag.
I am sure the CEO regretted very deeply asking WYW what is troubling her lool.
As for MinU. He is certainly playing a dangerous game, and that is why I think he was asking for very little. I actually expected that he will go for blackmail, and ask to switch companies. But, I didn’t buy a conditional offer. He will only have the upper hand for short period of time.
I was planning to take short break from Kdrama, but my Disney+ subscription is coming to end soon. So, I have done another check and found “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” starring Kim Tae Ri , Shin Ye-eun (The young bullies leader in The Glory). Also Ra Mi Ran, and Jung Eun-chae (Pachinko-sister in law). Moon So-ri also has a role.
The series is set in 1950s Korea about traditional all female theatre company. There is a lot about Pansori. Something I wasn’t familiar with.
I have watched 3 episodes now, and it is great!. Absolutely loving it. The story is predictable. I mean, the title alone is a giveaway, but the execution is fantastic, and the subject matter amazing!
Even if you don’t watch it, look up Pansori.
Hi Seven Seas! Thanks for saying that, and I always look forward to your comments. There was a mixup on the titles, probably my fault, but it’s Mr. Queen, not Queen of Tears, that I’ll be covering if our hosts are gracious enough to have me on the podcast. A lot of people had trouble with CLOY at first, but I think it’s worth another try. Some shows get you right off the bat, and others take a few episodes setting up before you’re hooked. In my opinion, it’s to take time to draw the characters in sharp detail before the story’s momentum kicks in, which can pay off later for the depth and impact of the drama. In CLOY, for me, that’s what happens. One of the characters is especially off-putting at first.
DeleteThat show you recommended on Disney sounds great, Kim Tae-ri and Fifties South Korea! Thanks!
Here in California, thanks to the rigid community property laws, many couples draw up a notarized list of their individual assets and liabilities at the time of the marriage. Since everything after that is 50/50, it’s a good thing to do in general. It’s not romantic on the one hand, but not trusting and honest if it’s avoided. It’s pretty hard to live here and be unaware of it, so nobody is blindsided.
Seven Seas. Really shocked that you didn't like CLOY. I thought that was one everyone likes, even they done absolutely love it. You should give it another shot just so you can listen to the podcast. Joanna and Sung-hee have one episode where they invited on an expert on North Korea. IYKYK!
DeleteAs for Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, I liked it but didn't love it. Kim Tae Ri was amazing. And Shin Ye-eun is also in A Hundred Memories as a lead and is fantastic.
I agree that the case was meh. The plot twists with Kwon Min Woo and Tae Su Mi were more interesting.
DeleteA Star Is Born is on my list! I ADORE Kim Tae ri!
As for Crash Landing, you've heard me talk about how I couldn't get past the first three or four episodes the first time I watched it. But thanks to the urging of my cousin Linda, I came back to the show and I'm so glad I did. I ended up loving the show so much that I urged Sung Hee to discuss the show in Season 8! Maybe give it another try!
Ellen, That is great it is Mr Queen. I haven't seen Mr Sunshine yet though.
DeleteAs for CLOY, I am going to be honest here. I am not giving it another chance. I am done with this writer. I tried 3 of her massive hits (My Love from the Star multiple times), and couldn't get past first few episodes. QoT lasted 5/6 episodes thanks to the leads only.
I even abandoned my plan to watch "The Legend of the Blue Sea" when I found out it was written by her.
I don't dislike any of her series, I just can't connect with her stories/storytelling or characters. I suppose it is like not vibing with the prose of certain authors.
Malcolm, I will get to "A Hundred Memories".
I think I am loving A Star is Born partly because of the subject matter. I am a HUGE theatre fan. I spent a fortune going to musicals and plays. So, a series about a theatre company, and acting within acting is very close to my heart.
Seven Seas, I completely understand that we all have different likes and dislikes. I think it's because many of these stories strike an emotional chord with us, but we don't feel or see things the same way. I can tell you that Joanna and I have very different tastes when it comes to Kdramas. Even the so called big hits might not appeal to everyone. Just look at the widely different reactions that some people have to Something in the Rain! However, if I may, I would suggest episode 8.4, one episode of the podcast on CLOY, where we feature a special guest to talk further about North Korea.
DeleteEllen, I am thrilled that one of the dramas you are going to focus on is Mr Queen. It's almost a running joke as to how much I love this show and have unashamedly pushed people into watching it. Really looking forward to hearing your thoughts and analysis!
I’ve been enjoying your insights into Attorney Woo - which is one of my favorites!. After listening to your recent episodes, it got me thinking about some of the ways they stretched the ethics to make the story. You always have such thoughtful insights. (By the way, when I went on a K Drama tour this spring, we saw the shop location that was used as Woo Young Woo’s dad’s gimbap restaurant. It wasn’t open, but we were able to pose in front of it! So I especially love every time you mention the shop!)
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you for your comment! So glad you're enjoying this season!
DeleteAnd super jealous that you went to Korea AND went on a K Drama tour! Wow, just wow!
This was a tour in Seoul? I’m going in November! What’s the name, I’d love to do something like that?
ReplyDeleteAlso looking forward to Ellen's guest appearance! I actually thought "When the Phone Rings" was good for the first few episodes when they threw in twists I hadn't expected. But then.... But like Seven Seas I did finish it, which does say something.
ReplyDeleteBack to Attorney Woo. I know there are plot holes but the performances and comedy make up for it. Joanna sometimes mentions rewatch value and I'm on my third viewing [I probably enjoy it more because I never remember what happened like Sung-Hee. The second viewing was because I recommended the show to my sister and figured I should watch again to talk to her. And now again for the podcast]. That being said - a dumb question. Why does Tae Su-Mi want WYW fired from Hanbada? The threat to her is that somebody gets a reporter on this (maybe there already is one?), and I don't see what that has to do with where WYW is working. WYW could even be in Boston and news stories could take Tae Su-Mi down, maybe especially if WYW works at Taesan.
SDguy, thank you for your comments. I actually liked When the Phone Rings, but more because the chemistry between the leads was so good. I haven't come back to it; it doesn't have high rewatch value for me.
DeleteYou make a good point about why the heck Tae Su Mi wants WYW to quit or get fired from Hanbada. I think she thought she could get her out of the country; that would have kept her out of sight from the Korean reports, mostly at least. Coz you're right, even if WYW is not at Hanbada, Tae Su Mi's secret is still liable to come out into the open. Maybe she wants to get WYW to discredit her coz then if she makes a fuss and it's discovered that she's Tae Su Mi's daughter, Tae Su Mi can start a smear campaign against her. Who the heck knows?
SDguy, I add my voice to Joanna. Good point about why Tae Su Mi wants WYW to quit?
DeleteI can't remember what I thought when I was watching, but maybe because she will be in a tough spot, and more likely to accept an offer/compromise?
Objection your honor! Hearsay!
ReplyDeleteSo my biggest problem with this episode is that the entire case was determined on the coffee girls hearsay testimony. You may have heard this objection in courtroom dramas in the US, but its generally not a major plot point because the concept is somewhat complicated. In fact many attorneys do not understand it properly. Basically, hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted. This type of evidence is generally inadmissible because it is considered unreliable, as the original speaker cannot be cross-examined. Here, coffee girl testified that ashtray told her that he heard the three friend say they were going to share the lotto profits. Its hearsay, because ashtray is not there to be cross examined under oath. If he was there, HE could testify that hear them say it because they would be available to testify and the three friend who are the original speakers could be examined under oath. Frankly, Joanna and Sung-hee, I’m a little disappointed you did not explain this complicated legal concept in great detail on the podcast! 😉
Now the whole salt, pepper, soy sauce thing…. Don’t get me started. Attorneys can discuss their cases with other attorneys in the firm – especially when it comes to ethical issues. The attorney client privilege applies to the entire firm. As for informing the wife, totally unethical. Basis for sanctions or suspension.
As for the lottery winnings, I think they would be considered marital property in almost every state in the US. And frankly, given how unrealistic the depictions of the law are in this show, I imagine they would be in the US.
Poor Choi Soo-yeon! I would never! She needs to find herself a nice attorney boyfriend. Maybe a middle aged American one…. I mean, she’s done worse! 😉
As for WMW:
I finished Bon Appetite Your Majesty. I really enjoyed it, especially the cooking scenes. Without spoiling anything, I have to disagree with all those saying its nothing like Mr. Queen. Particularly the last few episodes.
A Hundred Memories on Viki – Still loving this! Go watch it!
Tempest on Hulu/Disney – Totally ridiculous – Totally hot!
Confidence Queen on Amazon Prime – This show is so much fun. The cons are totally ridiculous and fun. And Park-Min Young looks absolutely amazing!!! She eats up every scene! And her outfits are right up there with some of the best in any show.
Genie, Make a Wish on Netflix – This premiers on Friday and I am sure I will be watching – good or bad!
Malcolm, you make a fantastic point about hearsay! And oh heck, we're not attorneys, we don't know about this stuff! Where were you last week? We non-attorneys probably shouldn't be commenting on a show with legal cases. But here we are...
DeleteI totally agree with you about WYW breaking attorney-client privilege by telling the story of Mr. Salt, Mrs. Pepper and Attorney Soy Sauce while at the restaurant. And don't tell me she is still strict about ethics because she told her client he couldn't pay Ashtray to say something in court. C'mon!
I LOVE Bon Appetit! I LOVE Tempest! And I'm gonna add Confidence Queen and A Hundred Memories to my list, thanks to you. Genie, Make a Wish is high on my list coz I really like those actors, and you know I love my magic shows. Can't wait! Especially since Bon Appetit is done and Tempest is done! Wah!
Just finished Bon Appetit and it was so good. I love how no one explains how anyone travels through time and the characters just go with it. The food cinematography in that show is stellar and everything looks delicious. Be prepared for a lot of closeups of Lee Chae Min's lips.The animated reactions also bring an over-the-top humor to a show about one of the worst tyrants in Korean history. The kitchen crew were adorable supporting characters. It was an excellent cast. Hard to believe Lee Chae Min came into the project with very little lead time. He did a great job as the king. I'm currently watching Confidence Queen and Park Min Young is wonderfully wacky as a genius-sociopathic con artist.Maybe there's something about sociopaths trending in kdramas because a similar character is in Genie, Make a Wish, which I am also watching.
DeleteSorry, forgot to attribute the post above. It's me, Alice.
DeleteOh, and Ellen. I'm really looking forward to hearing you on the podcast. Although I really wish you'd discuss Something in the Rain! Joanna would absolutely hate it! ;p
ReplyDeleteMalcolm, just for you, I'll ask Ellen about Something in the Rain when she comes on the podcast. She was the one who intuited that perhaps Something in the Rain bothered me so much in part because the music wasn't great. She thinks I'm so attuned to the music that when it doesn't match the show, I can't get over the cognitive dissonance! Let's see what she says!
Delete@Malcolm. I almost had to give up Something in the Rain because of that horrible, horrible, horrible (did I mention horrible?) music. Truly was a downer. Also, I completely award the "Worst Mother in KdramaLand" trophy to Son Ye Jin's mother here. There have been many bad mothers portrayed, but she was the worst.
DeleteEAW was one of my first Kdramas. Little knowing I'd fall down the rabbit hole of daily kdrama watching, that led to a devotion to Korean culture in so many ways (including other tv shows beyond dramas). It is so delightful to watch it again, and my delight is multipled by the podcast helping me see even more than my own watching. Park Eun Bin is simply amazing as Woo Young Woo. I have watched her in several other dramas (though I could not deal with Hyperknife) and her skill as an actress in portraying Woo Young Woo is unparalled. I so loved Kang Tae Oh as Jun Ho. He was so sweetly understated in his portrayal. His expressions, especially interacting with Young Woo, made me love the character. I found the character he played in The Potato Lab quite disappointing after his acting here.
ReplyDelete